overqualified and inexperienced…

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photo: found here while rummaging the internets for streetart.

Dead End. I’m at one. Right now.

It’s a weird sensation to be unemployed, kinda depressing to even begin to think about how long it’s been since I was working for pay… I made the, for pay, distinction because the cliche’ is true, “The hardest job in the world is looking for a job.”

I can spend 8-10 hours a day scouring newspapers, job boards, and internet sites for job opportunities, not to mention the another 8-10 hours networking, glad-handing and conversating about jobs or rumors of jobs. And anytime I’m not looking for a job, I feel as though I am cheating on my girlfriend… even now, as I write, there is a voice in the back of my head whispering, “ummmm…. what are you doing? You should be looking for a job.”

I’ve thrown countless resumes into the void, and have countless rejection emails and letters in my mailbox. I have been told – I’m overqualified; I’m inexperienced; and I’m not a good fit. In fact, I no longer flinch when I read the first few lines of a rejection letter:

Thank you for taking the time to meet with us regarding the Department Manager position. It was a pleasure meeting you and learning of your background and work experience.

You don’t even have to read the next line of rejection, as it is implied in the first two words… “Thank You…”

What am I to say to that? “Why, you’re entirely welcome! I really enjoyed getting to know you too, in fact, if anything else pops up, a position that better fits my talents and skills, please be sure to let me know.”

I guess that’s the proper thing to say, now that I have typed it… but it’s most definitely not the first thing that comes to mind.

So. Suffice to say, here I am. At a dead end in the job search – networks all tapped out, papers shuffled through, applications turned in and no leads to stand on. It’s in this moment that I am the most dependent on God. Not that I expect God to fill out applications, or put resumes in an employer’s hand. Rather, my dependence rests in God for my worth, because in times of depression my value is attacked by thee ‘ol evil one… and I have to remember:

1. God knit me together in my mother’s womb – He made me for a specific purpose in mind, and my value is not found in a occupation, but in who he made me to be, my vocation or my life’s calling is what gives me significance in this world – to be a watchmen over the gates of Zion, a specific part of the body of Christ, an echo of truth in a world of doubt and confusion, and a mighty child of God (not only a child, but a warrior who wields a sword of truth with the authority to vanquish the enemy’s evil schemes).
2. God is for me and not against me – Not to twist scripture to conform to my theology, but I do believe that He is for us!! Everyone of us, and not only us, but our dreams and desires (if they be right and true)… though the events of today may seem to contradict this assertion, it makes it no less comforting to know that God is rooting for me!
3. God has provided all my needs – I have not been lacking water, food, bed, clothes, fellowship, and even fun. His promise to take care of my needs have been fulfilled.

And when I recount these things, my heart is no longer in a state of depression, for I cannot be depressed when I see the things ahead of me – life, love, and friends. To wallow in self-depreciation, becomes selfish. As I realize – I am indeed blessed beyond compare, and it is my duty to pour out of my overflow.

And what is the overflow of my heart? If shit runs downhill and my overflow is nothing but depression, negativity and self-loathing, then I’m dousing everyone around me with my refuse. But if I’m full of joy, encouragement, and generosity – the fruits of the spirit – those around me are feasting on tasty morsels intended to nourish and enrich their spirit.

So. Even though I’m at a dead end… I’m not gonna allow it to change the contents of my overflow, because that would be discourteous, and I don’t want to be offensive, especially when I’m looking for a job.

jesus, jesus…

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This song is by Noah Gundersen, and has transparent – from the veins – lyrics that I really relate to…

What do you think of this song?

this generation…

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The following is a work of satire.

We are becoming the most aggressively inarticulate generation.
We state our many opinions, without having a conviction worth giving our life to.
We use our voice to promote consumption, but never unite our voices against destruction.
We complain about the lack of time, friends, and money…
Yet, we are never too busy to set our DVR.

If Religion was the opiate of the modern masses,
television is the opiate of the postmodern man.

God be damned, “Lost” is on.

five finger trailrunning…

As seen on TentLife… but now in HD! Go outside and DO SOMETHING!!!

a celebration is in order…

Urgent Update: Please pray for “T” as he is back in the states and has been admitted to the Children’s Mercy Hospital in KC with double pneumonia and some other symptoms… to read full update click here.

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Photo: a collage of pics from Bicycle Basket a blog by Michael and Krisyn Jones.

I don’t know about you, but I get super excited when someone adopts! I mean, incarnationally excited, not just with words and voiced verbal affirmations… but my heart actually begins to beat faster, my eyes well with tears, and my palms become sweaty! As Christians, one of ways in which our fruit is seen is by outpouring love from our hearts, hands, and feet. No place is this better lived out than in the process of adoption.

My good friends “Mitch & Milly” or Michael and Kristyn to you… are returning today from Ethiopia, and they are not alone, in fact, they are with child… literally, they are bringing back their new son Tegegne or “T” as they have affectionately call him on their blog!

Michael and Kristyn are unbelievable people, the type of people that when you leave them you always feel as though you’ve touched the hem of Jesus’ cloak, just by being near them. And the process of their adoption has been a long one — full of obstacles, frustrations, joy, protection, and provision, and they have blogged about it… all of it, not just the rainbows and butterflies. So. If you have a moment, go check out their blog, and join me in congratulating them on the new addition to the family!!

Welcome Tegegne!! You’ve just inherited a bunch of Aunts & Uncles, don’t be overwhelmed by our excitement, we’re just a bunch of love-drunk souls… I blame the punch.

a corporate coup d’etat…

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Photo: devil/angel businessman logo is taken from the film “The Corporation”

Please tell me, I’m not the only one infuriated today… I am beginning to empathize with the passion and indignation that motivated Thomas Paine to write his provocative treatise, “Common Sense,” which was directed at the injustice of colonialism spurred by the Monarchy of England. For we are in an era of another type of colonialism – spurred not by a monarchy – but by the capitalistic greed of powerful corporations that rule just as tyrannically as the monarch’s of the past (if not more so).

Yesterday, our Supreme Court ruled 5-4 on Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, deciding to reject the “Corporate Spending Limit” setting precedent for uninhibited political funding from corporations and labor unions. In essence, this decision gives corporations more individual rights, in effect more power then was ever intended. In the thought-provoking book and subsequent documentary film, entitled “The Corporation,” Joel Bakan et al, candidly explore the rise of the corporation throughout it’s short history and ruthlessly uncover the unconstitutional behavior of the most powerful corporations. As Jurgen Fauth, states in his review of the film:

One unique aspect of corporations is that they claim the constitutional rights of persons–the right to privacy, the right to property, and so forth. The film takes the next logical step and asks, if this is the case, what kind of a person is the corporation? The answer, arrived at through a series of case studies, is not reassuring.

The film lays out it’s argument that as a person, the corporation is not a good one, in fact, corporations are much like the bully who steals your lunch money in elementary school, except this bully, is also the Principal, Superintendent and Nurse. Basically, corporations are freeing themselves of prudent accountability – to government, to their consumers, and to their shareholders – they have risen above the role of a mere citizen to that of a Super-Citizen.

Suffice to say, if the corporation was too powerful before yesterday (many would agree that they were) this decision has given them a red carpet to a full political coup d’etat. As they now have unregulated access to advertise (for or against), lobby, and back any political party/figure that best suites their agenda. This decision has little, if any, precedent in the history of our Judicial system, and seems to be driven by the influence of the Neoliberal’s who were in office, pre-Obama, and put into place a structure of government that has slyly shifted the power from the public sector (we the people) to the private sector (corporations).

This is a scandalous, unprecedented attack on our right as citizens of this democracy, and is going to change the game of politics for the worse… and yes, it could be worse. Below are some things I’m thinking about relating to this decision:

• What does this do to our local government? Will local corporations heap more clout and money toward influencing state and local elections to push their agenda or political party?
• How do Labor Unions fit in this puzzle, who’s side are they on?
• Will this lead to Senators wearing logo tagged jumpsuits like NASCAR drivers?
• Who will Congressmen and women be accountable to? The corporations that fed their re-election budget or the people who elected them?
• In the shift from public democracy to privatized government, who wins? We are already becoming aware that our pace of consumerism is not sustainable, and with corporations gaining control of government who will look out for the rights of the people (or the consumer)?
• Corporate Wars? Will the wars fought today, be branded more outrightly than the past (I am aware, a lot of the wars fought in the past 30 years were based on economic issues and not issues of injustice, but I’m wondering if they will continue to be sold as justice, rather than competitive advantage.)?
• and much much more is stewing….

What do you think? Does this change how you see the game?

interacting with culture…

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Culture comes from the root “to cultivate.”

Based on this definition we can presume that our unique culture comes from the cultivation of our T.R.E.E. – specifically our distinct Tradition, Reason, Experience and Emotion, that has shaped who we are and who we are to be.
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blog(s) now available on kindle…

As you are already aware… the digital age continues to expand our paradigm – changing the way we interact and retrieve information – in essence, putting the world in our back pocket or satchel. In this light, I have been trying to find ways in which to better serve the readers of this blog (my mother). With that said, today, I am excited to announce the availability of TentLife and Theological Musings (this blog) on the Amazon Kindle (click pictures below to link to Amazon Kindle Store).
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readings on postmodernity…

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I have been reading, A Primer on Postmodernism by Stanley J. Grenz and have been fascinated by the evolution of philosophy from the Middle Ages through Enlightenment (Modernity) to the current period of Postmodernity. Grenz does a fine job transposing the timeline of philosophical evolution through the eyes and pens of renowned philosophers: Rene’ Descartes; Kepler; Galileo; Newton; Bacon; Hume; Locke; Kant; Nietzsche; Heidegger; Saussure; Foucault; Derrida; Rorty; et al…

This book is packed. And to be truthful, having a dictionary close is a must.
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the decline of the MBA…

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Photo: “Power suit, power tie, power steering…”

This is more or less a rant against higher education (specifically – the declining value of the MBA degree), so if you don’t care, don’t bother…

In 2004, I was working for Fellowship of Christian Athletes as a Field Representative in Northeast Oklahoma, and through a series of events found myself searching for a new path in life – a search that ultimately led me to pursue a Master’s of Business Administration (MBA) from The University of Oklahoma (OU). It was not a decision made lightly and I spent a lot of hours researching schools and programs, in order to find one that made sense both financially and academically.
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